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Midway girl killed in wreck

By Ross Blair
Special to the Courier

POSTED:January 26, 2009 10:13 a.m.

A head-on collision in Douglas last Sunday claimed the life of 13-year-old Savannah Highsmith of Midway, according to the Georgia State Patrol. A Mercury Villager van driven by Savannah’s mother, Christy Highsmith, 31, and carrying her husband, Walter Jerome Highsmith, 38, Laney Highsmith, 6, and family friend Trenton Gustafson, 12, was traveling east on New Forest Highway. According to GSP Sgt. David Lacey, the van veered into the westbound lane. At the same time, Douglas resident Christopher Merritt, 36, was driving toward them.“Mr. Merritt took evasive action and steered left, but the two vehicles impacted in the eastbound lane,” Lacey said.The victims were rushed to Coffee County Regional Medical Center. A hospital representative said Savannah Highsmith died shortly after arriving at the hospital and Gustafson was admitted to the intensive care unit. All others have been discharged.Lacey said no one was charged or cited, and the investigation into the accident has been turned over to GSP’s Severe Collision Reconstruction Team. The Highsmiths recently moved to Midway from Richmond Hill, according to authorities.